GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, Mar. 16, CMC – The Government of the Cayman Islands is being urged to cultivate marijuana locally.

The call came from local activist Dennie Warren Jr. who was central to the campaign that led to the legalization of extracts from marijuana in 2016.

Dennie Warren Jr

At the first ever Cannabis Conference to held here on Wednesday, Warren said the local cultivation of the drug would eliminate the supply chain problems and create an industry in the British Overseas territory.

Warren, whose wife if suffering from lung cancer, outlined some of the challenges as it relates to treating her as well as the battles with government bureaucrats.

The Cayman News Service quotes Warren as saying that “There were some fierce adversaries” in his fight for the use of the drug.

Warren also made reference to Jamaica, and explained that medicinal cannabis oil has been identified in the neighbouring island but it has taken many months to get the necessary import permit.

He said the final hurdle is the export permit from Jamaica, but he believes the issue is on track and “the oil could be here in a matter of weeks”.

Last November the Misuse of Drugs Law was amended, allowing medical doctors to prescribe cannabis extracts or tinctures for therapeutic purposes.

However, the law does not allow for production of the products in the Cayman Islands.